She woke up with a pounding headache. Turning off the alarm, she pulled herself out of bed bringing her hand to her head. She finally noticed her bed was empty even though Christina was supposed to be sleeping there. Slowly, she mentally prepared herself enough to get out of bed and make her way to her bathroom. She soon emerged again after brushing her teeth and taking a couple aspirin and headed out into the hall. She was about to head downstairs when a picture, that had been hanging in the hall for as long as she remembered, caught her eyes. Walking over, she fixed it so it was hanging straight and stared at the beach scene that was illustrated. Shrugging off why the picture all the sudden peaked her interest, she turned to walk away. As she reached the top of the stairs, a door opened down the hall. Naturally turning her head, she saw Christina scurry out of Burke's room pulling one of Meredith's robes closer to herself. Not realizing she had been caught she tried to make it to Meredith's unseen.
Clearing her throat, Meredith crossed her arms across her chest. Christina's head whipped around and a guilty look crossed her face.
"Good morning, Meredith." She mumbled with a guilty smile.
"What the hell, Christina!" She yelled forgetting all about her headache.
"Oh, don't give me that look." She said walking into Meredith's bedroom.
"What look? The look that you just slept with one of my worst enemies?" Meredith fussed following her.
"You kissed one of them."
"That's completely different. I've known him my whole life."
"And that's a good thing? What happened between me and Burke will never happen again. It just like we always do. I'm leaving this morning. You're living with McSteamy for the rest of the month." Meredith still gave her a stern look. "Come on, Mer. I had an itch that needed to be scratched or whatever." Meredith's look didn't soften as Christina pulled her hair into a ponytail. "Don't give me that look, Mer."
Meredith sighed knowing she was right. The predicament she had gotten herself into with kissing Mark was just as bad as or worse than what happened between Christina and Burke. She had feelings for Mark! The night before had been a one-night stand. "Was it at least… good?" She asked falling back on the bed.
"Unbelievable."
"Never would have pictured Preston as that kind of guy."
"Whatever, I'm taking a shower. My plane leaves in two and a half hours."
"I'll be downstairs."
--
She was making coffee still unable to believe Christina and Burke slept together when Mark walked in sleepily. His hair was a mess that made him still look so hot. He wore only a pair of sweatpants. To be honest, she was completely taken back by how hot he looked in the morning. He walked in scratching his head still trying to adjust his eyes to the light.
"Morning." He said in his deep morning voice.
"Good morning." She answered turning away. They stood in an awkward silence as Meredith poured herself some coffee. "Ah, want any coffee?" She finally asked unable to take the silence.
"Sure." He answered sitting down at the bar. "So, um, what are you doing today?"
"Don't do this."
"Do what?"
"Make small talk. I hate when people make small talk. It's like an… obligation. Either you want to talk to me or you don't. Don't make it out to be some… chore."
"Sorry. I just do know what to say… after tomorrow."
She sighed handing him the cup of coffee. "Here's how it goes 'Meredith, I was just feeling guilty yesterday. None of it was true' or 'Meredith, that kiss didn't mean anything.'"
"Is that what you want me to say?" He asked not looking directly at her.
She stayed quiet for a few minutes before turning away. "I want you to… just tell me the truth for once."
Silence fell over them. Meredith kept her back to him. Then, out of no where, his hands were on her hips and he turned her around to face him. "You want the truth?"
"That would be nice."
"The truth is what I said yesterday." He said with his lips dangerously close to hers. His lips brushed up against hers lightly.
"Seriously?"
"I'm a sucker for a blonde." He sighed before kissing her. She had just wrapped her arms around his neck when someone cleared their throat. Both quickly pulled away and looked away from each other as if they weren't just kissing.
"You're lucky I'm not one of McSteamy's stupid friends." Christina rolled her eyes.
"You're one to pass judgment. I mean with last night and all." Meredith shot back at her earning a glare from Christina.
"What happened last night?" Mark asked.
"Nothing… we just got drunk and… stuff." Christina said causing Meredith to giggle shaking her head.
"Whatever." Mark sighed sipping his coffee.
"I'll go get dressed, Christina, so we can leave." Meredith said before walking out.
Christina looked curiously at Mark.
"What?" He asked.
"Nothing… Just… don't hurt Meredith. If you're planning on hurting her as just some prank… she doesn't need it."
"She's a big girl. She can take care of herself."
"I don't doubt that. She's tough, but she's got enough going on. So do us all a favor and if that's what you're planning, walk away. Because if I find out otherwise, I'll be on a plane here to cut off you balls faster than you can blink." She said as she picked up the newspaper and settled down at the table.
"I'm not… planning on hurting her." Mark said after a few minutes of silence. "This isn't some prank or whatever."
She looked up at him over the paper. "Good."